San Angelo owner of LGR Automotive & Collision to open bar and grill soon
SAN ANGELO – Gearing up for the end of January or February, San Angelo will be able to welcome a new downtown bar and grill.
The new place will have a mechanic's-shop theme with a color scheme of black, lime-green and steel.
Larry's Garage Bar & Grill, 607 S. Chadbourne, is a "dream come true" for Larry Rubio, owner of the bar and LGR Automotive & Collision, 2208 S. Chadbourne.
"I'm giving it the car theme because that's how people know me," Rubio said. "I always wanted a restaurant, but I ended up in the car business."
Rubio's grandfather got him started in cars. His grandfather was a huge supporter of his efforts, letting him work on cars, bikes and more.
He also offered Rubio a connection to this location, as he would come retrieve his grandfather before, when the establishment was known as The Crazy Goat.
This isn't Rubio's first experience in the restaurant or bar scene. He's worked at several restaurants, including Fuentes Downtown, and said John Fuentes, owner the restaurant, was his mentor.
More:San Angelo's Fuentes restaurant owner says repairs going well, plan to open in early 2019
Rubio also opened up Chadbourne Tavern with his business partner, but due to "butting heads," he was bought out.
Rubio left the bar business for about a year before he was offered the old Crazy Goat, (El Chivo Loco) location.
Rubio's father also taught him much about construction, allowing him to work on the bar and grill himself.
"My dad would show me construction, so a lot of times, I never have to wait on somebody to come do something for me," Rubio said. "We built the floors, bar, cabinets, electrical... to a certain extent."
When the interior is finished, people will be greeted by a tool-box style, stainless-steel topped black-and-green bar, a tin-sided wall to the right, and a gray wall to the left.
Televisions, 17 total, will dot the walls, showing sports and ads for local businesses.
A walk past the bar leads patrons to the DJ booth and dance floor, which will be filled with music Friday, Saturday and possibly Thursdays every week.
The kitchen, near the bar, is a work in progress as of Thursday, Jan. 3, and leads into a huge walk in freezer. This freezer previously belonged to Milagro Wine & Spirits, 1529 W. Ave N., which closed in 2018.
Much of the design comes from Rubio's preferences.
"I don't like fancy stuff," he said. "(My mom) would say don't make it fancy, because some people get off of work and they just want to go have a drink."
Due to this influence, Rubio is aiming to make Larry's a place people can come to after work and relax. There will be no need to get off work, go dress up, and then come in.
Larry's will also stress cleanliness, fast service and a "big family style" feel, he said.
He also wants to create a family-friendly environment, offering student deals. One of those deals will be letting students bring report cards with all-"A"s for a free meal, as long as the parent buys their own.
There will also be discounts for military, Angelo State University students and group events.
Rubio credits his friends and family for helping him create Larry's Garage, saying they have helped him build, design, create menus, and some have signed on as staff.
"When you need help from people, they're usually never there," Rubio said. "My ciricle of friends are here, no matter what."
The kitchen will run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the bar will run until 2 a.m. Sunday-Saturday.
Depending on how this location goes, Rubio said he could expand into Austin and Fort Worth.
More:San Angelo restaurant closing, will be reborn in February 2019 under new name